Well the starter went out last week on that 87 I put together. All the parts I swapped and replaced! The original starter failed to do it's thing at 1 AM in the morning! ( It only had 220K on it! ) Just got back from a trip Southwest Fl and drove to work next day no sign of any problems car was cranking right up like always. Got home from work, (2nd shift) needed a few things, head to Wally World. Walked out of the store and nothing! I mean nada zip nothing. Pulled it with a tow rope to start it and next day tore out the starter.

Two of the four brushes in the motor were wore to where the springs were on the brush holder.

Here's the tip I had a newly rebuilt starter back on the shelf from the 88 auto car. The larger motor from the auto starter will swap on to the manual nose drive assy. no problem. The drive gear on the starter is larger on the auto too. Found that out the hard way so use your original there too. Clean everything up lube and reassemble and go. I assume the auto car has the larger motor to turn the auto transmission. Cranks the 5 speed sweet! Saved about a hundred bucks too!